Republican says he will challenge Sen. Collins

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) - A Republican says he is challenging Susan Collins for her U.S. Senate seat.

Erick Bennett is the founder of the Maine Equal Rights Center, an organization that fought against the measure that legalized same sex marriage in Maine. He is also a gun rights activist who is working to do away with concealed carry permits.

He says he wants to be upfront about a conviction for domestic violence dating back 10-years. He says he was wrongly convicted and will work on changing laws to require more evidence to convict a persson.

"The fact that I've been jailed repeatedly for not agreeing to admit something that I didn't do should speak to the fact of how much guts and integrity I have", he said.

"The fact that I've been jailed repeatedly for not agreeing to admit something that I didn't do should speak to the fact of how much guts and integrity I have", he said.

Bennett is not getting much support from within his own party. Maine GOP Chairman Rick Bennett says the party does not view him as a credible candidate.